Fallan Sherman
Pronouns: she/her
Research Mentor(s): Scott Leiser
Research Mentor School/College/Department: Molecular and integrative Physiology / Medicine
Program: UROP
Session: Session 4 (1:40pm – 2:30pm)
Authors:
Abstract
In the face of age-related diseases, there are many fundamental processes that are linked to the degradation of our health over time. This project seeks to identify the scientific gap in molecular processes linked to environmental stressors and how they impact those fundamental processes. In this project, we aim to identify if secreted factors from Pseudomonas lurida, a wild bacterial isolate, are involved in decreasing lifespan and increasing stress response in its host, the nematode, Caenorhabditis elegans. To do so, we conducted paraquat stress assays and lifespans where the microbiota isolates P lurida and E. coli OP50 controls were used as a food source for the nematodes. Thus far, we find that lifespan is significantly decreased and the worms’ ability to survive in the presence of the chemical stressor, paraquat, often found in pesticides, is enhanced with addition of P. lurida. It is unknown whether the cause of a decreased lifespan can be attributed to secreted factors that are harmful to host health or whether the presence of live bacteria overgrowth causes harm itself. In order to find the physiological and ecological reasons for these observations, we are focusing on differences in bacterial colonization of their worm hosts to determine if there are correlates to health outcomes. By identifying genes involved in the host’s response to environmental and microbial stressors, we can potentially discover how to slow the aging process and mitigate the deterioration of health over time.
